Monstrous Momentum
By Karyn M. Peterson -- Playthings, 1/1/2007
What would a child's drawing look like if it were painted realistically? That's the question Dave Devries, a professional production artist as well as an award-winning comic book and video game illustrator, set out to answer beginning way back in 1998—just what would happen if an accomplished artist could get back in touch with a child's raw, creative spirit without regard to proportions and other established art rules?
The answer is The Monster Engine, an interactive art project more than seven years in the making that DeVries developed into a picture book of the same name. Ever since that first summer when his niece drew a monster in his sketchbook, DeVries has been transforming kids' two-dimensional creature drawings through shadows, highlights and perspective into striking, atmospheric painted portraits.
"From the very first image that sparked this idea I knew The Monster Engine would be life changing," DeVries tells Playthings. "Even so, it was the reaction of the kids which cemented my conviction in this project and laid the groundwork for its scope. I can't tell you how inspired I was by their energy."
As demand for his in-school demonstrations grew, DeVries' project branched out into a full-fledged gallery exhibition (of kids' artwork as well as his own) and the book. Now things are set to expand further, with a sequel to the book and a massive, multi-player online game (MMOG) in the works for 2007, in addition to toys, a movie, and more planned for the years ahead.
"The sequel is exciting and it will bring my formula of artist and child to the next realm in story form," DeVries says. "It will differ from the original book in that it will combine Web and CD-ROM elements to "transport a child to a place that has never been seen before. All will culminate in a virtual destination where a kid's imagination comes to life."
Scheduled to be completed late in the year, the book sequel will be supported by in-person events and demonstrations, another gallery exhibition, the kid-created Web world at www.themonsterengine.com, and other interactive promotions for kids, such as the creativity kit that will be included with each book and CD-ROM, DeVries says, adding, "I believe in getting the word out in any way I can."
Want to read more? Visit www.playthings.com/devries to read our exclusive interview with Dave DeVries in its entirety.
